Healthcare NZ held responsible after tetraplegic left alone for more than 12 hours

Open Justice reporter - Wellington·NZ Herald·17 Aug, 2026 08:00 AM5 mins to read‌The Health and Disability Commissioner found the tetraplegic man was physically incapacitated and a vulnerable consumer who couldn't be left alone. A tetraplegic who cannot be left alone spent more than 12 hours in his sofa chair unable to move, suffering painful spasms with a full catheter bag after a carer failed to turn up. The man, identified as Mr A, complained to the Health and Disability Commissioner after Healthcare